On December 12, 2019 Governor Dapo Abiodun told a very grateful TASCE audience that he would ask the Ministry of Works to see what can be done about the access roads within and around Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu-Ijebu. The Governor and Visitor to the institution was attending and speaking at the Combined Convocation Ceremony of the institution after he had experienced the trauma of travelling the road to the school first hand.
Since then, the road has become worse. The rains have taken their toll on the road. The situation is further worsened by the Dangote and other large trucks ferrying building materials to Lagos. They have created such huge gullies and craters that soon only vehicles their size would be able to ply the road.
As would be expected, this situation is hard on students and staff as well as members of the communities that must use these roads to access their homes. All the buses and taxis hitherto plying this road have either broken down or have been wisely withdrawn by their owners. This has left the road users at the mercy of tricycle and motorbike operators. Tricycles charge N300 while motorbikes charge not less than N400 in either direction. When it rains, the fares shoot up and only persons very familiar with the routes can use them.
All that is about to change. On Friday October 16, 2020, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu and Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Engr. Ade Akinsanya visited the College and the environ to assess the road infrastructural need of the College.
Receiving the visitors, the Provost of the College, Dr Adeola Kiadese Lukman appreciated the two eminent gentlemen. Dr Kiadese noted that fixing the internal and external road network of the College would not only boost the morale of the College Community, it would increase the access and viability of the institution. Dr Kiadese appreciated the Governor of Ogun State and Visitor to the College for his continued unwavering interest in the wellbeing of the College.
Thank You Sir Already
In the entourage of the Provost were the Principal Officers of the College including the Deputy Provost of the College, Mr Hammed Agboola. Also well represented were the members of the Executive of the SUG led by Omoluabi Fesobi.
As would be expected, the students were agitated to see such a high profile presence in the school and in connection with a problem they are all suffering for. In their estimation, Prince Dapo Abiodun keeps his word. Although not a tractor has moved and not a marking has been made on the ground, the students have started thanking the governor for building the roads in the school and fixing the roads leading to the school. According to the SUG Speaker, Mr Quadri Balogun, the state of that road is giving parents of potential students reasons for second thought. He said, “If His Excellency says he will fix the road, consider it done”.
The College community is grateful for continued government presence in the school and remain steadfast that it would yield fruit and continue to give the institution a sense of belonging.
Recently, the Special Adviser to Ogun Governor on Primary and Secondary Education was in TASCE to present a lecture on quality assurance. The College looks forward to more interactions.
Photo credits: Dr Lukman Olusesi
